Vacuum-cleaner.



M. s. WRIGHT.

VACUUM CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I, 91!- 1,33 9% Patented July 17, 1917.

5 SHEETS--SHEET qmibmemw; J'M-uentoz/ IVI. SfWRIGHT.

VACUUM CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1911.

Patented J ulyl7, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2 M. s. WRIGHT.

VACUUM CLEANER. APPL ICATION FILED JUNE 1. 19H.

Patented. July 17, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4- Patented July 17, 1917.

M.. s. WRIGHT.

.VACUUM CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 1,1911- QVLMWMQ )ZQJ i V L M-. S. WRIGHT. VACUUM CLEANER.

APPL lCATl0N 111:0 JUNE 1, 1911.

1 Pat nted July 17, 1917.

1 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5 ml mm l adapted for MORRIS S. WRIGHT, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO M. S. 'WRIGHT COMPANY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION MASSACHUSETTS.

VACUUM-CLEANER.

ll,233,9d.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 17, 121W.

Application filed June 1, 1911. Serial No. 630,727.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MORRIS a citizen of the United States, Worcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vacuum-Cleaners, 'of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to certain improvements in vacuum cleaners and though susceptible of'a variety of adaptations is more especially designed for .use in homes for the cleansing-of carpets and the like, and to this end is portable in character.

The-present invention is of the same general character illustrated in my copending application filed of even date'herewith, being Serial No. 630,726.

Embodied in the present invention is a novel form of vacuum creating means drawing into the apparatus dust laden air or the like, and an improved type of operating mechanism for the vacuum creating means, thus producing more uniform suction, and rendering the vacuumcreating means more powerful in operation.

To the above end, the invention includes a novel form of motor drive for thcapparatus, supported by the latter, and arranged so as to take up a minimum amount of S. WRIGHT, residing at space.

Also the invention operating brush or the of the apparatus, and a novel form of operating mechanism therefor.

The invention also embraces a novel and common drive for both said operating device at the inlet end of the apparatus and the Vacuum creating means.

Still further improvements, and many novel details in the construction and arrangement of the various parts of the apparatus, will be further alluded to hereinafter in the detail description, and for a clear understanding thereof attention is, directed to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and wherein convenient and satisfactory embodiments of the invention includes a movable tion.

in the county of Worcester and like at the inlet end,

are disclosed for the purpose of illustra- -In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section, v

Fig. 3 is a transverse section substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4: is a transverse section substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view partly in section of one formof nozzle attachment, I

Fig. 6 is a side elevation disclosing another form of nozzle head attachment provided with a rotary brush and driveconnection therefor,

Fig. 7 is a transverse section showing the applicationof the rotary brush or operating tool to the head.

Fig. Sis a sectional view of a modified form of construction.

With more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a suitable casing is pro vided including a bottom wall 1, a rear wall 2, a top wall 3. 4 arranged intermediate the ends of the casing divides the latter into two chambers, the one 5, comprising a vacuum chamber or dust receiving chamber, and the other 6, a motor chamber, the top wall 3 terminating adjacent the partition wall 4, whereby to provide an enlarged space for the motor mechanism to be hereinafter .described. The supporting wheel for the mechanism, indicated by the reference numeral 7 projects through an aperture 8 in the bottom 1 of the casing and is supported in bearings 9 projecting through said bottom wall..,By this construction, the wheel is practically concealed from view and OfiQlSgilO obstruction beyond jecting from one side of the motor is a suit- A transverse partition wall able drive shaft 1O having .a worm 10 adapted to engage a gear wheel 10 positioned within a suitable casing, which for convenience is formed in two sections 10 and 10 secured as by removable bolts 10, the arrangement being such as to permit ready access and removal of the parts within the casing by simply removing the upper section thereof. Projecting from opposite sides of the casing and secured to the gear wheel 10 are rotatable drive shafts 11 having oppositely extending crank projections 12 adapted to support stub shafts 13. Loosely sleeved upon the stub shafts 13 are upright pitman rods 14, there being one of these rods and connections for each pump. Supported upon the top wall 3 are suitable pumps, two of which being shown for the purpose of illustration, and designed to be alternately acting. The-pumps include each a bottom stationary wall 15 resting upon the top 3 and secured thereto in any desired manner, an upper wall 16 hingedly connected at its forward end at 16 to the forward end of the lower wall 15 and having flexible connecting side walls 17 and rear end walls 18. The lower wall 15 has an opening 19 arranged to register with an opening 20 in the top wall 3 of thecasing, and a suitable valve 21, preferably a fiat valve, is designed to operate over the openaction of the pump.

ing 20, the same being preferably connected at one end to the top 3 and adapted to open and close at its free end according to the The pump also has a valve controlled opening 22 in its movable wall 16, the said opening leading to the outside of the pump. Projecting rearwardly from the rear end of the movable walls 16 are metallic bracket members 23, there preferably being a pair for each wall 16 and adapted to be positioned between the brackets of each pair are the upper ends of the connecting rods 14. A suitable pin or the like 24 passing through registering apertures in the brackets 23 and the connecting rod 14 serves to form a loose bearing for the upper end of said rod.

A push handle 25 is provided, the same having a bifurcated lower end, the .furcations 26 of which pass over opposite sides of the casing and are pivotally secured to the latter as by bolts 27. Means are provided for normally holding the handle in an upright position when the machine is in operation, the same including preferably a wire rod 28 having bent terminals 29. This rod which may betermed a bracket support, is pivotally connected to the casing as by bearings 30 and stops 31 on the casing, serve to limit the inward and upward swinging movement of the arms 29, which said arms when in this position constitute substantial and rigid supportsfor the arms 26 of the push handle. It will be seen that upon exerting downward pressure upon the handle 25, which is resisted by the arms 29, the apparatus may be tilted at the forward edge thereof, whereby to run over rugs and the like. Now should it be desired to operate the apparatus beneath articles of furniture, such as a bed, it is sometimes found that the handle when in its normal position will constitute a substantial projection above the top of the apparatus and interfere with this operation, in which event the arms 29 are swung outwardly and downwardly whereby to release the handle and permit the same to lower as is obvious. A filtering bag 32 overlies the opening at the front end of the vacuum chamber 5 and is supported on a removable frame 33, whereby the same may be emptied as desired.

It is contemplated by the present invention to provide various forms of inlet heads or nozzle parts for the apparatus, permitting the same to be interchangeable as desired, according to the use to which the apparatus is put.

In Figs. 1 and 2 it will be observed that the head or nozzle part designated by the reference numeral 34 has an opening 35 in the mouth thereof, which mouth is adapted to engage over the surface tobe cleaned, and which opening 35 connects with a transversely extending opening 36 communicating with the open end of the filtering bag 32. Abufl'er 37 is connected to the outer surface of the nozzle 34 adjacent the mouth thereof. Preferably springs 39 yieldably engage parts 40 of the casing, when the nozzle part is in position. Interposed between the nozzle 34 and the frame 33 is a suitable washer or packing 40 beyond the frame 33 and overlie the outer edgeof the walls of the casing, whereby when the nozzle is in position an air tight joint is formed at this point. The nozzle is preferably held in position as by leaf springs 41 secured-at one end to the nozzle 34 and free at their opposite end and adapted to be engaged by a locking bracket 42 substantially U-shaped, pivotally connected to the casing at 43, whereby the same may be swung into and out of engagement with the spring arms 41, which latter may if desired, be provided with a bent part 43 constituting a receiving recess. A stop 44 limits the downward movement of the locking arm 42.

That I form of head illustrated in Fig. 5

may be substituted as desired, and in this figure the nozzle part 45 has an opening transversely thereof as at 46, which opening communicates with the open end of the filtering bag, and secured to the wall of the nozzle adjacent said opening is a hose or piping 47 or the like, which may be of a character and length to play say over the walls of a room orthe like. In this case, the outer end of which is of a size to project.

the edges of. i

I tration reference is directed to Figs. 6 and 7. casing and'is secured by suitable clips 73 to 1 333,9 kill:

approved types of operating tool. As in the brush to impart rotation to the latter. It previously described construction, this head is, of course, obvious that the belt drive 71 45 has spring arms 50 to be engaged by the may be removed, should it be desired to aplocking bracket 51, as understood. Also the ply a difl'erent construction of head not em- 5 packing 52 cooperates with the parts to proploying an operating tool, such as a brush. vide an air-tight joint. The motor has been described as being Other forms of heads or nozzles may be preferably an electric one, and the wiring substituted and are within the contemplafor the latter designated by the numeral 72 tion of my invention, and as a further illuspasses through an opening in the 'side of the In this type of construction the head is desthe handle parts, and thence is free for con- 75 ignated by the numeral 53, and the same has nection with the ordinary lamp socket or the an enlarged chamber 54 adapted for an oplike. By this arrangement, it will be seen erating tool, which in the instance illusthat the Wiring is maintained in position so trated, consists of a rotatable brush 55, as not to dragupon the floor or otherwise inso which is adapted to play over the surface to terfere with" the operation of the apparatus.

.be cleaned. The brush is mounted upon a The operation may be described as folshafl; 56 passing through slots 57 in the ends lows: The wire connections having been couof the head 53 and through plates 58. These pled up in any suitable manner with the orplates are adjustably connected to the head dinary lamp .sock'et or other electrical sup- .53, as by thumb screws 60 swiveled to said ply, the motor is set in operation. The operhead 53 and having threaded connection 59 ator grasps the push handle by imparting. with brackets on the plates 58. This conmovement either forward or backward, the struction permits of the brush to be adjusted apparatus is readily moved through the me- 5 vertically. relative to the operating surface, dium of the supporting wheel 7 over the W by simply rotating the thumb screw 60 in surface to be cleaned. In normal position one or the other direction. In order to more the handle is positioned upwardly at an infirmly hold the brush in its adjusted posi cline, and by exerting downward pressure tion, the plates 58 may be provided with thereon against the resisting action of the slotted ways 61, through which pass screws arms 29 the forward edge of the apparatus 95 or the like 62, which in turn engage openmay be tilted whereby to raise the head or ings in the head 53. The chamber 54 of the nozzle above the obstructions. When dehead 53 communicates With the open end of sired to operate under a bed for instance, the the filtering bag positioned 'within the arms 29 are swung out ofthe path of the vacuum chamber. This head may also be handle arms 26, when the hand may be low mg provided with the same parts for engageered to facilitate this operation. The moment with the vacuum chamber, and is preftor has a very firm support upon the main erably also provided with spring arms-63 base or bottom 1 of the casing, and is conadapted to be engaged by the locking memveniently arrangedto the rear of the vacuum ber 64, as in the previously described conchamber and between the op osite, side walls 1 5 structions, whereby the head is firmly sup- 7. This arrangement not on y makes a very ported in position, and the packing 65 comsubstantial support for the motor and parts pressed so as to constitute an air-tight joint. operatively connected #therewith, but also If desired, the same. operating means for takes up but a minimum amount of space.

the pumps may be utilized for driving the The motor alternately operates the respec- 110 rotatable brush 55. In this event a conventive pumps to expand and contract the ient construction of coupling or drive consame, thereby uniformly sucking the air. nection may be made, as illustrated in, Figs. intothe chamber through the filtering bag 6, 7 and 8. In this embodiment of the inven- 32 and finally discharging it out of the valve tion the stub shafts for the pitman rods are controlled openings 22 in the movable walls 11% given the reference numerals 11 and 12, of the pumps. The covering 74 constitutes and a shaft 68 extends in substantial alinein effect a continuation of the casing formmentwith the stub shafts 11 and 12', the ing the dust chamber 5 and motor chamber shaft being connected with .a crank arm 67, 6 and conceals the motor, pumps, and theopan extension of the shaft 12 as illustrated erating connection therebetween from view.

more particularly in Fig. 8. This'shaft 68- 4 What I claim is: projects through the adjacent side wall of 1. In an apparatus of the character dethe casing and has supported thereon for roscribed, the combination of a vacuum chamtary-movement therewith a drive pulley 69. her, vacuum creating means, a motor, oper- 60 Secured to the shaft 56 of the rotary brush ative drive connection between the motor member is a pulley 70. A connecting belt, and vacuum creating means, a dust inlet 71, referably of spiral wire construction is nozzle, a rotatable brush carried by the preferably applied over the said pulleys 69 nozzle, means for adjusting the brush verand 70, whereby as the motor operates the ticall relatively to the nozzle, said means 6 pumps, it at the same time operates the inclu ing a shaft for the brush mounted in we slotted Ways in opposite ends of the nozzle, side plates engaging over the ends of the nozzle and secured to said shaft, said plates 'each having a ln'acket and an adjusting screw mounted on each end of the nozzle, said screws engaging said brackets to adjustably support the brush in place, and a driving connection between said brush shaft and the motor.

In a machine of the character described,

eluding a shaft for the brush mounted in slotted ways in opposite ends of the nozzle, side plates engaging over the ends of the nozzle and secured to said shaft, said plates each having a bracket, and an adjusting 20 screw mounted on each end of the nozzle, said screws engaging said brackets to adjustably support the brush in place.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MORRISv S. \VRIGHT. I

Witnesses i GRACE A. MARVIN, GERTRUDE \Vnmpnnm. 

